When I meet a potential new client I often get asked what our USP is; what sets us apart from our competitors and makes us “perfect” for the job? It can be a difficult question to answer at times, us Brits are never terribly good at blowing our own trumpets, but in my experience there are a few things that other cleaning companies don’t do, which we do – and that is what sets us apart.
1. Staff development
Many other companies see their staff as “just” cleaners. I cringe when I hear this. Firstly, there is nothing wrong with being a cleaner, and adding that “just” implies otherwise. Secondly, no one, no matter what their profession is “just” anything.
At Jigsaw we firmly believe in valuing our staff, no matter how long they have been with us or how many hours they work. We’re passionate about staff development and are always looking at ways that we can encourage our team members to take on additional roles and responsibilities, if that is what they want to do.
2. Respect
This goes hand in hand with the staff development, but we think if you respect your staff they will respect you, and you inevitably create loyalty. But it does work both ways. You can’t just demand loyalty and respect from your staff, you have to show that you are worthy of it.
As well as our focus on staff development we insist on paying all our staff members the national Living Wage. I don’t believe in keeping staff costs down in order to win a job – I want our customers and clients to know that the people coming in to clean their offices are well looked after and well paid for the skills they bring to the job.
3. Customer service
In a lot of cases we don’t have a lot of face time with our clients. Our team go in when the offices are closed, do their job, and then leave. I have heard from many of our customers that when they have used other companies to do their cleaning, this has been the sole aspect of the relationship. Here at Jigsaw we really value customer service, and strive to build a relationship with our clients.
We want to be part of the team, and do everything we can to ensure you know you can pick up the phone to discuss any problems or concerns you may have. More importantly that if there is anything that is less than perfect in your eyes, that we will deal with it immediately.
4. Communication
Sometimes things go wrong – I think that’s true of any industry or line of business you work in. Often these things are out of your control, but that doesn’t mean it’s not your responsibility to do all you can to make things right.
We always ensure that our clients are kept fully informed of any issues, for example, if we are held up in traffic and may arrive late, or we’re a team member down so a clean may take longer. We don’t like to pull surprises on anyone, and we refuse to cover up when there is an issue. This is vitally important because we value the trust our clients place in us, our team and our service.
5. Innovative products and services
We always listen to our clients, and if they have a problem in their business, we will do our best to solve it. This is why we are always adding new products and services to our offering. Some businesses just need a clean, while others want assistance with wash room facilities, waste management and recycling. Rather than simply passing them on to someone else, we decided as a business to absorb these needs and offer services that complimented and solved them.
The same is true with our products. We know that things never stand still, and we are always looking for new ways we can improve what we’re already doing. Is there a better product out there, or one that is better for the environment? If so, we will find it and we will use it so that everyone benefits in the end.
6. Environmentally friendly
As many businesses are finding new ways to “go green”, we understand the importance of working with contractors and suppliers who share the same ethos. That is just one of the reasons why we have embraced a sustainable and environmentally ethical approach to our work.
We run a predominantly paper free office, with clients e-signing contracts rather than having to print them out. We also use eco products, which contain less chemicals and are therefore for less harmful to our team but also the wider environment too. Often these products are cheaper in the long run, which means we can pass on savings to our clients, but it’s not about the money – it’s about doing the right thing.